Together, we need to find ways to

increase student experiences with Science and Math

starting at the Elementary Level

Science and math education reform started in Delaware almost 30 years ago and the coordinated effort by educators, business and government significantly moved the needle forward in science and math performance – and attracted national attention.

Key to this success was a major shift to "hands on, inquiry-based" learning with quality materials and professional development. Every day required adequate time on science and math at all grade levels. National and state studies now reflect that if we do not do this starting in elementary school and build on this foundation through all grades, results and test scores will suffer.

Thirty years later, the acronym STEM communicates a national recognition that science and math skills are key to developing STEM literate and informed citizens in an increasingly tech-driven world – regardless of degree level – in science, technology (including computer science and IT and health sciences), engineering and math. State and national studies currently show that it is increasingly harder for teachers to find time to focus on science with so many other demands on their time with other educational needs.

DFSME, as a catalyst for STEM advocacy, continues to emphasize

the need for fundamental science and math skills in the early grade levels

and the time needed to help prepare students for tech-intensive

 future careers and jobs, resulting in an improved STEM workforce.

We continue to recognize Delaware STEM educators who find the time to do this to the highest standard with great results. In this issue, meet our newest Shining Light Award honoree.

— Randy Guschl, Executive Director

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME)

We hope you enjoy this Edition!

Governor Approves Teacher Raises, Education Investments

Surrounded by teachers, administrators, members of the General Assembly, and advocates, Governor Carney this year announced significant investments in public education across Delaware. Investments that were included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget were:

• A 3% raise for all who work in public education.
• A total of a 9% raise for teachers.
• An increase of $15 million to Opportunity Funding, totaling $53 million.
• A $3 million investment in the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, totaling $10 million.

“I was raised by two educators. I know the difference a good teacher can make

in the life of a student,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why teachers are central to

all our efforts in education. And our goal with these investments is pretty straightforward.

We want to retain and recruit the best teachers into Delaware schools.”

Check out the final Public Education Compensation Committee (PECC) recommendations for consideration in the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2025 recommended budget.

Dr. Mark Holodick Honors Top High School Seniors as 2023 Secretary Scholars

Secretary of Education Dr. Mark Holodick honored 92 public school students from the Class of 2023 as Secretary of Education Scholars. The students, joined by their families and school leaders, were honored during a celebratory dinner in Dover. 

To watch a video showcasing the students and their self-reflections on what inspired their success, click here.

“This is such an impressive group of young leaders,” Dr. Holodick said. “The honorees have succeeded academically while also serving as leaders in their schools and communities. As the students themselves shared, their success is due not just to their own hard work but also thanks to the support of their families and educators. As they prepare for college, the workforce and military service, I hope that wherever their next steps take them, their paths lead them to careers in Delaware. We need them as the future leaders of our state.”

The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals select the students based on both their academic records and community service. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools. The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984.



The scholars also are being recognized on Delaware.gov to showcase their outstanding achievements.

What does the future of education hold?

What should Delaware prioritize next?

You Decide!

Vision Coalition Future of Education Town Hall Series

Delawareans Working Together to Improve #Delaware Public Education

Join the Vision Coalition at any of THREE Town Hall events throughout Delaware this winter. Connect with your local community members and advocates to discuss topics including early childhood education, K-12 issues including student supports, educators and leaders, college and career success and education funding.

Share your ideas and perspectives and help shape the future of Delaware public schools. 

In 2015, Delawareans teamed up with local, national and international experts to develop a 10-year plan for Delaware public education: Student Success 2025. As we approach 2025, the Vision Coalition is looking to the future of education in Delaware. Register to be a part of the process!

Live, in-person Spanish translation will be available.

FREE event. All ages are welcome. Refreshments provided.

Monday, January 22  • 6-8 pm 

Route 9 Library - Black Box Theater, New Castle

Monday, February 5 • 6-8 pm

Delaware State University - MLK Student Center, Parlors B&C, Dover

Wednesday, February 21  • 6-8 pm 

Georgetown Middle School, Georgetown

To learn more about Student Success 2025 and its public engagement campaign, click here.

DFSME Executive Director Randy Guschl (right) presented the DFSME Shining Light Award to Kendra Moritz-Rosner (center), in Lorewood Grove Elementary’s Innovation Center classroom. Kendra was nominated by Jesse McNulty, Appoquinimink District Instructional Technology Specialist (left).

Congratulations to Kendra Moritz-Rosner!

STEM / Technology Educator & DFSME Shining Light Awardee

Kendra Moritz-Rosner is this month’s Shining Light Award honoree. Kendra is in the role of STEM lead and STEM / Technology Educator at Lorewood Grove Elementary in the Appoquinimink School District. She has moved mountains to lead the school and district with innovative practices that enhance all learners of all abilities to grow and foster their STEM passions.

In just two years, Kendra has developed a program that enhances STEM and empathetic teaching practices to provide learners with hands-on experiences and create a vehicle for students to illustrate their learning to global audiences.

From video game design to app development to STEMpathy programming that partners student designers with local universities and nonprofit organizations to meet the design needs of local community members, Kendra is molding learners into citizens of change for their communities and developing the next STEM leaders!

Kendra also works with educators on how to incorporate the engineering and design process into their lesson plans that helps students develop 21st Century skills essential to the STEM workforce. She will present on Empathy in STEM, Re-imagination of the Library Space and Video Game Design at this year’s FETC Conference in Orlando, Florida.

We are pleased to recognize Kendra Moritz-Rosner as a superlative educator!

Kendra was nominated by Jesse McNulty, M.E.T.,

 Instructional Technology Specialist, Appoquinimink School District.

Nominate Your Favorite Educator to be a Shining Light!

Anyone may nominate a STEM formal, informal or community Educator for the Shining Light Award.

Honorees receive an award, a $100 gift card and a mini heavy-duty mag flashlight.

For more details, go to dfsme.org/shining-light-award

Email completed form to drses48@aol.com or Michelle.Kutch@bsd.k12.de.us.

Save the Date! FREE STEM Event

Wednesday, March 20 • 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Please join us for this free event! It is designed to give middle and high school students a chance to experience Delaware Tech programs through student-designed activities, build connections toward STEM careers, and have fun while learning!

• Engage in interactive, hands-on activities in engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, computer science, physics and mathematics. (will vary by campus)
• Take tours of energy and engineering facilities.
• Enter drawings for a chance to win door prizes!

The STEM Expo will be held at three campus locations simultaneously:

DOVER

Education Technology Building, Del-One Conference Center, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE

For more information, contact Stephanie Lee.

GEORGETOWN

Jason Technology Center Gymnasium, 21179 College Drive, Georgetown, DE

For more information, contact Joe Rineer.



NEWARK

Stanton Gymnasium, 400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark DE

For more information, contact Tia Gordon (Stanton) or Julia Underwood (Wilmington).



For all event details, click here. 

January's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Delaware’s (Un)Hidden Figures

At the Proclamation Signing on March 28, 2023, Million Women Mentors Delaware (MWM-DE) marked the occasion by announcing the 2023 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honorees. This annual recognition celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of these Delaware women in STEM, as well as illuminate the many STEM career paths for Delaware girls.

Rachel Wood is a longtime educator known for inspiring a love for science and math learning. As K-12 Science Supervisor for the State of Delaware, she led implementation of the State’s science standards.

Her notable achievements include being Co-Chair of DDOE Science Curriculum Framework Commission, Co-Founder of Alternative Schools for Math & Science in Corning, NY, and service on several National Research Council committees for science education.    

Million Women Mentors is the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and succeed in STEM careers. The Delaware STEM Council and DFSME are partners in the event along with MWM-DE and the Office of the Governor, State of Delaware.

2024 Delaware Outstanding Women in STEM

Call for Nominations

Please nominate a mentor, colleague or other notable female scientist, researcher, technologist, or engineer for recognition by Million Women Mentors - Delaware. Nominees should have ties to Delaware by birth, education or career, and may be living or deceased.   

Ten honorees will be selected for recognition during our celebration of Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day in March at Legislative Hall in Dover.

For questions, please email mwm.dfsme@gmail.com. 

Million Women Mentors

State of the States

DELAWARE Report 2023

MWM is organized by states, with state teams leading local individual efforts. Each state team works to engage companies, non-profits, and higher education to support girls and women in STEM through mentoring.

In Delaware, Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long signed a Proclamation, and the General Assembly unanimously passed a Concurrent Resolution declaring March 24 as “Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day”. The years 2022 and 2023 marked the second and third annual celebrations of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and math in the State of Delaware. The special event was initiated in 2021 by Jacqueline Means, “The STEM Queen” and Founder of the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative. To mark the occasions, MWM-DE announced the annual Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honorees. This recognition highlights the accomplishments, perseverance, brilliance, and tenacity of women in STEM, as well as illuminates scientific and technological career paths for Delaware girls.

Delaware Events in 2024

MWM-DE is organizing Engineering Your Tomorrow (EYT), a STEM career day for middle school girls on February 24, 2024, the final day of National Engineer Week. The girls will work with female scientists from different disciplines to test scientific hypotheses with fun, engaging hands-on activities. Information sessions for parents/guardians will provide guidance in making academic choices for high school, higher education and careers in STEM fields.

Pictured above (left, clockwise): Jennifer Kmeic, Founder of Inspiring Women in STEM; Jackie Means, Founder of Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative; Randy Guschl, Executive Director, DFSME; P.J. Simon, CEO, Teach Them Well; (right) Amanda Hewes, Research Scientist, Christiana Care.

Delaware has long been a science hub as the home of DuPont, a chemical company that has a strong involvement in such biotech development as energy generation, polymers and food. Other biotech companies in Delaware include DuPont spinoff Chemours, Agilent, Incyte, Prelude Therapeutics, CorriXR Therapeutics and Versogen, to name a few.

To support Middle and High School educators across Delaware, Discovery Education is highlighting

one aspect of many components of the Biotech field and how we can support educators with the integration of biotech resources while using a free resource that DuPont and the Department of Education have provided the state, Discovery Education Experience. 

To check out their flyer, click here.

January 20

Community Resource Day

Walmart’s STEM Open House. Meet your

community, pick up nonprofit resources and free hot meals.

Sponsored by Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce,

Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Walmart.

Held at Walmart 117 Wilton Blvd., New Castle, DE 19720

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Register Now! • Event February 7

Webinar: Celebrating Black History Month

Join us for a virtual event examining how historical events and figures can

advance a sense of belonging and improve outcomes in STEM and other fields.

To register, click here. 

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Deadline February 9 • Event: March 6, 2024

The 29th Annual New Castle County Science Fair

Hosted by Delaware Technical Community College, Stanton Campus.

Get started with your students and get your projects going now!

To download a pdf with project details, click here.

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Register Now!  •  February 24 9:30am-3pm

Engineering Your Tomorrow

Free STEM Career Day for Middle School Girls

Calling Future Scientists, Engineers, Doctors and Computer Scientists!

Spend a day with women STEM professionals and learn firsthand through fun STEM activities.

Conrad Schools of Science, Wilmington, DE. Lunch provided.

To register, click here. 

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Save the Date! February 29 • 7:30am-2:30pm

Yes! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit 2024

Free for Delaware high school students and educators who are advisors to school teams.

Students explore the most pressing state, national and global environmental issues

and engage in steps they can take on campus and beyond. Lunch included.

Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716

For more information, click here.

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Register Your Project Now! • Event: March 3-4

Sussex County Science Fair

To download a registration form, click here.

For more information, click here. 

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Register Now! • Event March 8

Million Women Mentors Webinar: International Women’s Day

Hear from thought-leaders working across the STEM ecosystem

about their organizational efforts to support women

in pursuing, persisting and succeeding in STEM careers.

To register, click here. 

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Save the Date! March 18-19, 2024

DETSA State Leadership & Contests – Live Event

Registration closes Sunday, January 28, 2024

This annual live two-day event brings together the brightest young minds in Delaware to

showcase their talents, leadership skills, and commitment to leadership and innovation within

STEM. Exciting activities, competitive events, workshops, keynote speakers, and networking

opportunities for students, advisors, and industry professionals.

Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716

For registration questions, contact Mike Fitzgerald at Mike.Fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us

or Lindsey Klemash at lklemash@detsa.org

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Save the Date! • March 20, 2024 • 5:30pm-7pm

9th Annual Delaware Tech STEM Expo 2024

Join us for an event for middle and high school students to experience

Delaware Tech programs through student-designed activities,

build connections toward STEM careers, and have fun!

Held at 3 campus locations simultaneously: Dover, Georgetown, and Newark

For more details, click here.

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Save the Date! April 16, 2024

2024 Delaware Pathways Conference

The conference will explore, feature, and celebrate the progress of our statewide career pathways

system that values equity, and student identity, and empowers young people and adults to enroll in

higher levels of education and pursue competitive employment. The conference will highlight

students, educators, community partners, and employers who have deployed innovative and

effective solutions to advance career readiness. Held at Delaware Tech, Terry Campus, Dover, DE

For questions or additional info, contact Helana Rodriguez at hrodriguez@dscc.com

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Registration Open! Workshop Event July 8-12

FREE STEM Professional Development for Teachers

Join ASM Materials Camp® Teachers at University of Delaware for a FREE, idea-generating

workshop that make core science and math principles relevant to middle & high school

students. Great motivation for any engineering, technology or science courses as students

learn concepts that are reflected in their everyday lives.

To download the info flyer and register, click here.

DFSME thanks the following organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.

STEM Legacy

DuPont | LabWare

STEM Heritage

Ashland | Mountaire Farms | Verizon

STEM Sustainer

Bloom Energy

STEM Network

Croda | Walmart

STEM Business

Agilent Technologies | American Chemical Society Delaware Section | Autumn Arch

STEM Gifts in Kind

Chesapeake Utilities | ChristianaCare | Corteva Agriscience

Delaware Department of Education | Delaware Design Company | Delaware Technical Community College Delaware Nature Society | DelawareBio | Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

EDiS | FAME, Inc. | Junior Achievement | Million Women Mentors | STEMconnector

Stroud Water Research Center | University of Delaware | Whisman Giordano & Associates

Partners Community

Delaware Afterschool Network | Delaware Department of Education

Delaware Pathways / Career and Technical Education Cadre | Delaware Math Coalition

Delaware Science Coalition | Delaware STEM Council Healthy Food for Healthy Kids

Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative

Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 

Wilmington, DE 19801 

Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036 

Email: anne.dfsme@gmail.com

www.dfsme.org

©2023 Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education

501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.